TalentSpark executive recruiting team in Boise, Idaho helping companies find top talent in untapped markets

Finding Elite Talent in Untapped Markets

In today’s dramatically turbulent and dynamic hiring market, finding top talent is the name of the game. And winning that game has become more difficult than ever for companies and executive recruiting firms alike.

In the wake of the “Great Resignation,” thousands of organizations are struggling with unfilled positions and delayed growth. The demand for skilled professionals is high, but identifying and securing the right candidates remains a challenge. Partnering with an experienced recruiting firm or professional recruiting service can make all the difference in finding talent that fuels business success.

Where Are All the Candidates?

In short, they’re wherever they want to be.

Unemployment is nearing pre-pandemic lows, and the growth of professional and technical industries has led to surging demand for new hires. This gives the most qualified professionals significant leverage when exploring new opportunities. For employers in Boise and beyond, the competition for elite talent is fierce — and executive recruiting firms are seeing that top candidates now have their pick of compelling offers.

The truth is that the candidate market hasn’t dried up because professionals are unavailable or disinterested. They’ve simply become harder to reach due to the overwhelming demand for them.

Are There Any Untapped Markets Left?

Thousands of professionals have relocated in recent years as companies embrace the remote work model. This trend has opened new doors for recruiting agencies and talent acquisition teams, expanding the search area far beyond traditional geographic boundaries.

However, this new flexibility makes the labor shortage even more perplexing. If executive recruiting firms can source candidates from nearly anywhere, is the market truly tapped out? Not quite.

There are still untapped talent markets waiting to be explored — you just need the right strategy to find them.

Expand Your Reach and Find Top Talent

Given the state of the labor market, employers may feel discouraged. But there are still effective ways to uncover top candidates in what seems like a limited market.

For one, there are candidates who simply haven’t received the right offer yet. If your company can stand out through its culture, work flexibility, or benefits, you can attract highly qualified professionals who might otherwise remain passive.

And that leads to one of the most overlooked markets for finding talent: candidates who aren’t actively looking.

When a trusted recruiting firm or recruiter on demand approaches a skilled professional about a potential opportunity, it often sparks their curiosity. Suddenly, a passive professional becomes an active candidate. This is where the art of executive recruiting truly shines — activating interest and uncovering talent others might miss.

Seasoned recruiters build these connections through years of cultivating relationships and talent sourcing strategies. They specialize in passive candidate recruiting, finding top performers hidden in what might appear to be dry markets.

TalentSpark: Tapping All Markets to Find Top Talent

At TalentSpark, we stop at nothing to find the right fit for your business — wherever that candidate may be. As one of Idaho’s leading executive recruiting firms, we offer professional recruiting services, on demand recruitment, and strategic hiring solutions that help organizations grow.

Our team has deep experience across Boise, Idaho, and national markets, giving us unique insight into both local and remote hiring trends. Whether you need to fill roles in finance, accounting, human resources, or executive leadership, our recruiters know where to look — and how to connect you with exceptional people.

When it comes to recruiting in Boise and beyond, we pride ourselves on being a recruitment agency that delivers results, not just resumes. Let us help you expand your reach, uncover untapped markets, and find the elite talent your company deserves. Reach out today to get started!

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Josilyn Clare, Operations Coordinator at TalentSpark Boise Recruiting Firm

Josilyn Clare

Operations Coordinator

Josilyn supports TalentSpark’s daily operations with her background in administrative management and tax. With several years of experience optimizing organizational systems, she works closely with our Leadership Team to keep everything running smoothly behind the scenes. Her attention to detail, financial accuracy, and proactive mindset help the team operate at our best.

Education: Northwest University (B.A.)

Fun Fact: Josilyn’s favorite place in the world is Germany!

Sari Hansen, Recruiter at TalentSpark Boise Recruiting Firm

Sari Hansen

Recruiter

After starting her career in telecommunications and public health, Sari was introduced to the recruiting world and never looked back. At TalentSpark, she specializes in project-based and recruiter on demand roles, supporting clients across industries like insurance, finance, engineering, and manufacturing. With over a decade of recruiting experience, Sari is passionate about guiding candidates to the right fit, including opportunities they might never have considered before.

Education: Idaho State University (B.S., Public Health Education & Promotion)

Community: Youth group leader for ages 4–18; active supporter of local school and sports programs

Fun Fact: Sari is a lifelong Idahoan raised on a multi-generational cattle ranch!

Dylan Buckland, Recruiter at at TalentSpark Boise Recruiting Firm

Dylan Buckland

Recruiter

Before joining TalentSpark, Dylan worked as a hiring manager for Old Navy, the largest specialty retailer in the U.S. There he gained firsthand insight into the importance of thoughtful, people-centered hiring. Now as a TalentSpark recruiter, he’s been involved in all aspects of recruiting — from working directly with clients to managing a full desk. Dylan’s superpower is creating an inclusive and safe environment where authentic conversations come naturally.

Education: Boise State University (B.B.A., Business Administration & B.A., Human Resource Management)

Community: President, Boise Young Professionals; Board Member, Downtown Boise Association (DBA); Board Member, Boise Metro Chamber of Commerce

Fun Fact: Dylan is a ski enthusiast and self-taught handyman who never turns down a home improvement project!

Pariss Paul, Recruiter at TalentSpark Boise Recruiting Firm

Pariss Paul

Recruiter

Pariss Paul offers nearly a decade of recruiting experience across a variety of industries, including human resources, accounting and finance, sales, marketing, IT, and engineering. Since joining TalentSpark in 2020, she’s been passionate about creating exceptional experiences for both clients and candidates — connecting the right people with the right roles and watching them thrive. Pariss is known for her relationship-driven approach and her genuine enthusiasm for helping organizations grow through great hires.

Education: Boise State University (B.A., Communication)

Community: Member, Human Resources Association of the Treasure Valley (HRATV)

Fun Fact: A lifelong dancer, Pariss now serves as Assistant Director of a local adult dance company and teaches dance to K12 students!

Allison Bruce, VP of Recruiting at TalentSpark Boise Recruiting Firm

Allison Bruce

VP of Recruiting

As VP of Recruiting at TalentSpark, Allison brings 20 years of recruiting experience across a wide range of industries, from Fortune 100 companies to nonprofits. Her background spans global engineering firms, health systems, pharmaceutical companies, and telecom providers. For the past eight years at TalentSpark, she has led the recruitment team and spearheaded executive search efforts. As a self-proclaimed “recruiting nerd,” Allison has a talent for market research and reaching unique, hard-to-find talent.

Education: University of Colorado – Boulder (B.A.); NCAA Division Track & Field Athlete

Community & Awards: Board Member, Boise Valley Economic Partnership; Co-Chair, Key Executive Committee at Meridian Chamber of Commerce; Board Member, American Association of Accounting and Finance; Past HR Committee, Idaho Youth Ranch; Coach, Girls on the Run; Idaho Business Review’s 40 Under 40; Women of Influence Honoree; Keynote Speaker, Meet the CFOs (TV CFO Forum, 2023–2025); Speaker, Boise Chamber Leadership Conference (2021)

Fun Fact: Allison has cycled across the Colorado mountains three times and her favorite place to visit is Sun Valley!

Jamie Brajcich, Manager of Recruiting at TalentSpark Boise Recruiting Firm

Jamie Brajcich

Manager of Recruiting

Jamie has over 16 years of recruiting and talent acquisition experience. She began her career in healthcare and physician recruitment before expanding into industries like manufacturing, technology, and real estate. Since joining TalentSpark in 2018 as Manager of Recruiting, Jamie’s passion for leadership and talent strategy has shined through in everything she does — especially when it comes to building and mentoring teams.

Education: University of Montana (B.A., Organizational Communication & Nonprofit Administration)

Community: Member, American Association of Accounting and Finance Recruiters (AAFA)

Fun Fact: Jamie is currently thriving in her “mom era” with two active kids!

Stephanie Parker, Founder & Executive Recruiter at TalentSpark Boise Recruiting Firm

Stephanie Parker

Founder & Executive Recruiter

Stephanie is the Founder and Executive Recruiter at TalentSpark, with 30 years of experience in recruiting and HR. She’s held leadership roles at Alaska Airlines, Micron Technology, and St. Luke’s Health System, and has spent the past nine years growing TalentSpark into a trusted recruiting partner for companies across the Mountain West. Known for her hands-on approach and deep local knowledge, Stephanie combines corporate expertise with entrepreneurial spirit to help organizations hire with confidence.

Education: University of Oregon (B.A.), Kansas State University (M.S., Organizational Psychology)

Community & Awards: Director of Workforce Development, Idaho State SHRM; Past President, HRATV; Advisory Board Member, TOK; Past Executive Board Member, City of Good; Former EO Member; Idaho Business Review CEO of Influence

Fun Fact: Stephanie is a certified yoga instructor and avid fan of reality real estate shows!